It was unexpected that, at the age of 64, William IV was crowned king of England. He had two older brothers, yet the death of Prince Frederick put him in line for the British throne when George IV died in 1830. His reign was brief, as he died on June 20, 1837, but it was a pivotal time of change, with parliamentary reform leading to the present-day constitutional monarchy. Antique William IV–style furniture reflects this period of transition, with forms that bridged the neoclassicism of the preceding Regency style and the more extravagant Victorian style that would follow.
Inspired by ancient Greece and Rome, William IV designs were often more imposing than Regency furniture and featured decorative attributes. There were sofas balanced on lion’s feet and tables with brass fittings. But furnishings of this period were largely marked by straight lines and subdued ornamentation compared to those of the George IV era. William IV had an unassuming way about him and was much more formal, whereas the ruler who preceded him was a king of extravagance. George IV had an affinity for French decor and was heavily invested in overhauling the private residences at Windsor Castle.
Carvings on William IV four-poster beds and cabinets included scrolling shapes, lotus leaves and acanthus, while popular pieces like tilt-top tables and upholstered seating on caster legs provided flexible interiors. Richly toned woods like mahogany and rosewood were used for sideboards, bedposts boasting reeded details and dining chairs with intricate chair backs and turned front legs.
William IV left no legitimate heirs, so his young niece, Victoria, became queen. She would lead an era of taste in which the innovations of the Industrial Revolution allowed for manufacturing showier furniture to fill elaborate interiors. With its comparatively refined forms and restrained designs, William IV style was a pause before a time of radical aesthetic change.
Find a collection of authentic William IV tables, armchairs, decorative objects and other 19th-century furniture and antiques on 1stDibs.
Pair of English 19th Century Cast Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A good pair of candelabra of the William IV period Constructed in gold leaf gilt bronze; rising from square bases, with scrolled plinths supporting octagonal sided imbricated cast columns...
Bronze
Pair of English Barley Twist Candlesticks with Circular Faceted Bases, C. 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English barley twist single candlesticks with flanking bobeches and circular faceted reeded bases, Mid 19th century.
Brass
$1,650 / set
H 21 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
Solid Brass 21” Barley Twist Candlesticks with Square Bases, England, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English solid brass barley twist candlesticks are very desirable when they reach 21" in height. What makes them more collectable is the square base (most are round) with the double beaded border (very unusual). They have large circular bobeches to collect any dripping wax...
Brass
Solid Brass Open Barley Twist Candlesticks with Round Bases- 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of late Victorian English 12" high open brass barley twist candlesticks with brass bases. This open style of barley twist is preferable to the solid cast style. Polished by h...
Brass
$575 / set
H 10.5 in Dm 5.5 in
PAIR Set Antique English Oak OPEN Barley Twist Candlesticks Candle Holder Brass
Located in Shreveport, LA
PAIR Set Antique English Oak OPEN Barley Twist Candlesticks Candle Holder Brass Bobeche. Direct from England, a stunning pair of antique English oak barley twist candlesticks! These...
Brass
$5,250Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 13.5 in W 9.25 in D 5.75 in
Superior Pair of 19th Century Patinated & Parcel Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An exceptionally fine pair of 19th century patinated & parcel gilt bronze figural candelabra, executed in the Rococo manner closely associated with works by Claude Michel (Clodion) 1...
Marble, Bronze
$16,800Sale Price|30% Off
H 28.35 in Dm 13.78 in
Amazing Pair of French 19th Century Bronze and Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Rome, IT
A fine pair of French 19th century bronze and gilt bronze candelabras, each with a dark bronze delicious dancing putto figures and parrots holding aloft three scrolled candle-branche...
Bronze
$525 / set
H 11.5 in Dm 5.5 in
PAIR Set Antique English Oak OPEN Barley Twist Candlesticks Candle Holder Brass
Located in Shreveport, LA
PAIR Set Antique English Oak OPEN Barley Twist Candlesticks Candle Holder Brass Bobeche. Direct from England, a stunning pair of antique English oak barley twist candlesticks! These...
Brass
Large Pair of Antique Oak Barley Twist Candlesticks, English, circa 1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A super matching pair of oak open twist candlesticks. Good condition. Lovely colour. The cast brass sconces are original. Free UK shipping
Brass
$14,750 / set
H 32 in W 12 in D 10.75 in
Pair of 19th Century Gilt-Bronze & Faience Porcelain Table Lamp Candelabras
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of French 19th-20th century Louis XV style gilt bronze and Faience porcelain three-light candelabra table lamps. The ovoid porcelain urn hand decorated in floral burgundy...
Bronze, Ormolu
$19,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in Dm 13.78 in
Amazing Pair of French 19th Century Bronze and Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Rome, IT
A fine pair of French 19th century bronze and gilt bronze candelabras, each with a dark bronze delicious dancing putto figures and parrots holding aloft three scrolled candle-branche...
Bronze
$465 / set
H 13.25 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Antique English Barley Twist Candlesticks Candle Holders Oak PAIR 13.25" Tall
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Pair of Antique English Oak BARLEY TWIST Candlesticks Candle Holders c. 1930s Beautiful twist with nice oak patina 13.25" tall~~round bases are 5.5"~~brass inset cups Pe...
Brass
$450 / set
H 10.5 in Dm 5 in
Antique English Barley Twist Candlesticks Candle Holders Oak PAIR 10.5" Tall
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Pair of Antique English Oak BARLEY TWIST Candlesticks Candle Holders c. 1930s Beautiful twist with nice oak patina 10.5" tall~~round bases are 5"~~brass inset cups are li...
Oak
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze 3-Light Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… The Napoleon III style motifs are fairly evident on these beautiful gilt bronze candelabras. The three sconces sit atop a rising rinceaux of acanthus ...
Metal, Bronze